by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

The NBA on Wednesday suspended New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony one game without pay for "confronting Boston's Kevin Garnett in the arena tunnel, near the players' locker rooms, and in the parking garage" following Boston's 102-96 victory against the Knicks on Monday.

"There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable for a player to confront an opponent after a game," NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson said in a statement. "Carmelo Anthony attempted to engage with Kevin Garnett multiple times after Monday's game and therefore a suspension was warranted."

Anthony and Garnett were going at each hard both physically and verbally, and Anthony said Garnett stepped over the line with his trash talking.

"There's certain things that you just don't say to men, another man," Anthony told reporters Tuesday.

Anthony admitted he lost his cool, trying several times after the game to speak with Garnett. After emotions subsided, Anthony and Garnett spoke and tried to resolve the issue.

"I felt like we crossed a line, but like I said, we both had an understanding right now, we handled it the way we handled it," Anthony said. "Nobody needs to know what was said behind closed doors, so that situation was handled.

"It's over with for me. Whatever happened (Monday) night, happened. The words that was being said between me and Garnett, it happened, can't take that away. I lost my cool yesterday, I accept that, but there's just certain things that push certain people's buttons."

Anthony did not believe his actions deserved a suspension, but the league's investigation turned up enough evidence, including video of Anthony confronting Garnett near Boston's team bus, to warrant a penalty.